Easter Peep-Za

When brainstorming Peeps ideas this year, I came up with some pretty good ones that were shot down: Peeps Sweet Potato Casserole. Peeps-Jello Salad. Twice-Baked Peep-Topped Sweet Potatoes. Peeps Ambrosia. The idea that did make the cut: Peep-Za.

Peeps on a pizza, well that’s just gross. But Peeps on a pizza-like dessert — that is amazing. To make a Peep-Za, you just need a cookie crust, some frosting and the contents of your Easter basket: Peeps and M&Ms or whatever candy you like best.

For the crust, I likeCookie Monster’s sugar cookie recipe because he’s the most credible source for cookies I know, but you can take a shortcut and use store-bought sugar cookie dough. Same goes for the frosting; use store-bought if you don’t have time to make homemade frosting.

I still stand by the Peeps Sweet Potato Casserole idea. Look for that one next year.

Prepare the frosting: Heat the heavy cream in a sauce pan until it starts to simmer; do not boil. Put the chocolate chips in a glass bowl and pour the hot cream over the chips. Let sit for 2 minutes until the chocolate melts. Whisk the chocolate and cream together until fully blended. Set aside, whisking every 15 minutes or so, until the mixture comes to room temperature (this takes about 1 ½ hours). Once the chocolate mixture reaches room temperature, beat it with a standing or hand mixer for two minutes, or until it reaches frosting consistency. (Note: You can substitute store-bought frosting here if you wish.)

Spray a 16-inch pizza pan with cooking spray, set aside.

Prepare the cookie dough, if using homemade; there’s no need to refrigerate the dough after it’s blended unless you want to make it ahead of time. Pack the cookie dough into a ball then flatten it into a disc with your hands. Set the cookie dough disc in the middle of the pizza pan and press, from the middle out, until the dough covers the pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookie start to brown. Let the cookie cool completely.

Spread the cookie with the frosting and top with Peeps, chocolate candies and salted peanuts.